Losing their hair for a good cause

Friday

Apr 26, 2013 at 12:29 PMApr 26, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Luke Smucker

During the second annual Cuts for Cancer event at Cornell Grade School, four students and nine community members donated 128.5 inches of hair — much more than last year’s 20 inches of hair, even though there were three fewer participants.Similar to last year, students, faculty and community members were asked to wear pink on Wednesday in honor of their former teacher Chris Laughlin, who died while battling cancer. As donors received the various lengths that had only moments ago been part of their hairstyle, they held the donation high and received applause and encouragement from those in attendance. “I was very anxious when the stylist asked me if I was ready to cut off the hair,” said participant and Parent Teacher Committee President Nicole Gourley. “I haven’t had short hair in quite a while, but I was also excited because somebody else needs this hair more than I do. I have plenty of it, so if it can help someone in need, I am willing to spare it.”Throughout the year, Student Council Advisor Shannon Brown said the students have been reminded that the second Cuts for Cancer event was scheduled for April. Over the last few months, notices were attached to monthly newsletters and fliers were sent home with students. All were asked to consider holding off on cutting their hair until after the event. It was a task that eighth grader and Student Council President Ivy Motl said many of her peers took seriously. “Both last year and this year, students were talking about not cutting their hair and were going to let it grow out just for this event,” said Motl. “They wanted to be able to send it to people in need.”It wasn’t hard for her recall how shocked she was to see so many people donate last year and she is not alone. Brown said coming off the excitement and success of last year’s event made the decision to hold it again this year that much easier. “We had a great turn out last year, but we also had a lot of students whose hair wasn’t long enough to cut,” said Brown. “Those students wanted the opportunity to make a difference.”In Gourley’s case, it’s been three years since she had her hair cut. Although she held the hair donation in her hand, she said it really wasn’t going to sink in that her hair was shorter for a day or two. “I am going to use less shampoo and will have less to comb. It will be so much quicker to get ready in the mornings,” she joked. “I’m sure once it’s 90 degrees outside I will be glad I don’t have all that hair on my head.”All the hair will be donated to Locks for Love, an organization that provides wigs to people undergoing cancer treatment. Donors were encouraged to give anywhere from six inches of length on up. Brown said to offset the cost of making wigs, donations that are less than 10 inches in length are sold by Locks for Love. “Some students haven’t been around cancer, or people who need wigs before,” said Motl. “I think a lot of the adults understand why we are doing this, but for a kid to do this is really a big deal. I am looking forward to talking to some of our student donors and seeing what they thought about giving.”If she could leave Livingston County with just one thought, it would be for people to be aware of how important an event like this is. Motl also encourages anyone who wants to make a difference to hold an event like this in their community. “The bigger a school is, the more opportunities there will be for people to donate,” said Motl. “I really appreciate the fact that people are taking time out of their day to not only be here, but to donate their hair as well so that it can be made into wigs.”The hairstylists for the event were Brittany Lyons and Chris Porter. Donors included: students Kara Ruddy, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Brooklyn Swanberg and Lila Mascote; and community members Bill Belter, Matt and Shana Sidfrids, Maria and Rafael Mascote, Carrie Defenbaugh, Christina Bowman, Ranee Cooper and Nicole Gourley.

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